Releasable heel holding means for a ski binding



Oct. 26, B965 1. M. SPIER 3,214,186

RELEASABLE HEEL HOLDING MEANS FOR A SKI BINDING Filed April 16, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I. MARTIN SPIER ATTORNEYS.

I. M. SPIER Get. 26, R965 RELEASABLE HEEL HOLDING MEANS FOR A SKI BINDING Filed April 16, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR l MARTIN SPIER FRIED/HAM 5 MAW-AM ATTORNEYS..

United States Patent 3,214,186 RELEASABLE HEEL HOLDING MEANS FOR A SKI BINDING I. Martin Spier, 50 Park Ave, New York, N.Y. Filed Apr. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 370,747 14 (Ilaims. (Cl. 28(i--11.35)

This invention relates to improvements in ski bindings, and it particularly relates to an improved ski binding incorporating a safety release mechanism.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 123,193, filed July 11, 1961, now abandoned, and entitled Ski-Binding.

One object of this invention is to provide a ski binding having a release mechanism which will slacken the binding and permit release of the foot from the ski in the event of excessive tension being exerted on the binding, as the result of a fall, for example. Another object of this invention is to provide such safety release mechanism in the heel binding of the ski, thereby making it unnecessary to provide a special toe release mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety release mechanism in a heel ski binding which is mechanically simple, easy to manipulate, simple in operation, and adapted to serve as the sole means for locking the foot to the ski.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety release mechanism not only in a heel ski binding but also in an instep ski binding in such a way that the boot is released not only at the heel but also at the instep in the event of excessive strain on the binding.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, I provide a safety release mechanism including a first bar member and a second bar member pivotally connected at their ends to respective ends of the tensioned heel binding. One of the bars is connected by first pivot means to a toggle member. The second bar member is connected by second pivot means to said toggle member. Said second pivot means is slidable with respect to said toggle member and is normally urged to a first position of stability by means of a spring.

In the locking position of the toggle in accordance with this invention, with the spring maintaining the movable second pivot means in its normal position, the relative positions of the respective pivots are such as to maintain the toggle member in its locking position. However, if an excessive tension is exerted on the heel binding, the second pivot means is moved out of its normal position in such direction as to make the position of the toggle unstable, as the result of which the tension of the binding can swing the toggle to its unlocking position. It will be appreciated that the toggle may be manually returned to its locking position when desired.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing the improved ski binding in accordance with this invention applied to a ski and showing a foot (in broken lines) mounted in the binding.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, to enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 1, of the heel ski binding incorporating my improved safety release mechanism, the toggle being shown in normal locking position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail similar to FIG. 2, showing the toggle in full lines in unstable position, as the result of initial excess tension upon the ski heel binding, and showing the toggle member in broken lines in complete unlocking position.

3,214,186 Patented Get. 26, 1965 FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the safety release mechanism in its full line position of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section on line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section on line 77 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a second embodiment of the invention. The binding is shown locked.

FIG. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 8, showing the binding assembly in raised position.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 8, showing the binding unlocked.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of a ski having mounted thereon still another embodiment of a safety release mechanism.

FIG. 13 shows the heel binding part of the safety release mechanism of FIG. 12 in an unstable position corresponding to that illustrated in FIG. 11 for the embodiments of FIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 14 shows in a side elevation the second safety release mechanism which automatically releases the instep binding when the heel binding is automatically released.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of FIG. 14 in its release position.

FIG. 16 is a transverse section taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 12 in the directions of the arrows and and showing the details of the spring mounting of this embodiment.

Embodiment of FIGS. l-7

FIG. 1 of the drawing shows fragmentarily a ski 10 having a toe piece 11 and a heel support mechanism 12 mounted upon the top of ski 10. Said mechanism 12 is held in place by a plate 13 fixed to ski 12-, in such a Way that mechanism 12 is turnable. Mechanism 12 supports the heel of shoe 14 (shown in phantom). At one side, heel support mechanism 12 has an ear 15 to which hook 16 is connected by any suitable means (not shown). Hook 16 is connected by a conventional adjustable fitting 17 and vertical pivot 18 to conventional bar 19. Conventional spring 20, which abuts the rear of the shoe 14, is connected by pivot 21 to the other end of bar 19.

Heel support mechanism 12 has an ear 15a on its side opposite car 15, to which hook 16a is connected by any suitable means (not shown). A further conventional adjustable fitting similar to fitting 17 is connected to hook 16a.

The release mechanism 1 includes first bar member 30 pivotally connected to spring 20, second bar member 40 pivotally connected to fitting 17a and toggle member 50 interconnecting first bar member 30 and second bar member 40.

First bar member 30 includes a pair of opposed parallel horizontal upper and lower plates 31 and 32 connected at their radially inner edges with respect to the center of plate 13 by vertical web 34. Vertical pivot pin 33 extends through apertures in plates 31 and 32 adjacent one end of bar member 30 and extends tur-nably through ear 20a formed on the end of spring 20. Ear 20a is disposed between plates 31 and 32. Said pin 33 is headed over at 33a above and below the respective plates 31 and 32.

Toggle 50 includes opposed parallel horizontal plates 51 and 52 disposed between plates 31 and 32. Plate 51 frictionally slidably abuts plate 31. Plate 52 frictionally slidably abuts plate 32. At the end of first bar member 30 which is remote from pivot pin 33, first pivot means 60 comprising vertically aligned pivot pins 61 and 62 are provided. Pivot pin 61 extends turnably through apertures in plates 31 and 51 and has a head 61a above plate 61.and a bottom head 61b countersunk within plate 51. Similar- 1y, pivot pin 62 has a bottom head 62a below plate 32 and an upper head 62b countersunk within plate 52. Plates 51 and 52 are connected by a transverse web 53 at their radially inner edges with respect to the Center of plate 13.

Second bar member 40 is in'the form of a solid bar. One end of bar 40 is connected by vertical pivot pin 18a to connection member 17a so as to be turnable about the axis of pivot 18a. The other end of bar 4-0 extends slidably between plates 51 and 52. Pin 70, which serves as the second pivot means, extends through an aperture at the end of bar 40 which is remote from pivot 18a. Plate 51 has a slot 71, and plate 52 has a slot 72. These two slots 71 and 72 are in vertical alignment with each other and are located adjacent to plates 31 and 32. Pivot pin 70 extends turnably and slidably into slots 71 and 72, as clearly shown in FIG. 6. Each said slot 71 and 72 has a first end located adjacent to and radially outwardly with respect to the center of plate 13 of first pivot means 60. Each said slot '71 and 72 extends from its first end to a point intermediate the ends of first barmember 30. Said slots 71 and 72 are arcuate with outer concave and inner convex (with respect to the center of plate 13) circumferentially extending edges.

For convenience, the position of second pivot means 70 at the first end of slots 71 and 72 is designated as its position B, and the position of second pivot means 70 adjacent the second end of slots 71 and 72 is designated as its position A.

Adjustable spring means are provided which normally maintain second pivot means 70 in its position A. Elongated blade spring 80 is located between plates 51 and 52 of toggle member 50. One end of spring 80 is fixed at 80a to web 53. The plane of spring 80 is transverse to plates 51 and 52. Spring 80 is inclined radially outwardly with respect to the center of plate 13 from its connection end 80a. The other end of spring 80 abuts the radially outer side of second bar member 40 radially outwardly with respect to the center of plate 13 of second pivot means 70. Force of the free end portion of blade spring 80 is exerted radially inwardly with respect to the center of plate 13 and hence normally maintains pivot means 70 in its position A.

At the free end of toggle member 50, the ends of plates 51 and 52 are secured together by transverse member 81. Said member 81 has an aperture communicating with the interior space between plates 51 and 52, said aperture and said plates 51 and 52 being shaped to form a screw-threaded entrance bore 82. A screw having an externally screwthreaded shank 83 and outer head 84 is provided. Shank '83 is screwed into bore 82. Detent 85 on the periphery of member 81 is transverse thereto and is of spring-like nature an opposes the periphery of head 84, said head 84 being knurled on the periphery thereof as designated by the reference numeral 84a (FIG. 3), so as to provide notches for reception of detent 85.

Rod 86 extends into an axial bore in the free end of shank 83 and is fixed thereto by any suitable means. Said rod 86 extends along the radial outer with respect to the center of plate 13 face of spring 80, and the free end 86a of rod 86 abuts spring 80 intermediate its ends. It will be apparent that by turning head 84, the point of abutment of rod 86 with spring 80 may be shifted, thereby varying the spring tension.

The operation of safety release mechanism 1 is as follows:

After the foot is placed in the ski, toggle member 50 is moved to its locking position of FIG. 2, thereby tightening the heel binding around the heel of the shoe. In this position, with spring 80 maintaining pivot means 70 in position A, second pivot means 70 is located radially inwardly (with respect to the center of plate 13) of the line connecting pivot 18a and pivot means 60. Accordingly, this is a stable position of toggle member 50.

In the case of a fall, or other unwanted condition, the heel of the shoe tends to rise and thereby exerts upward tension upon the safety binding. This force on spring and first bar member is also exerted radially outwardly with respect to the center of plate 13, and if the force is sufficient, forces second pivot means 7 0 along slots '71 and 72 from position A to position B, as shown in full lines in FIG. 3. This also causes toggle to be moved in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of pivot means 60, so that it extends radially outwardly with respect to the center of plate 13. This is an unstable position of toggle member 50, because second pivot means is then located radially outwardly (with respect to the center of plate 13) of the line of centers between pivot 18a and first pivot means 60. Also, the pressure of spring no longer has to be combatted, and the tension upon the ski binding causes further radially outward (with respect to the center of plate 13) movement of first bar member 30 so as to swing toggle member 50 to unlocking position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. This increases the circumference of the heel binding since second pivot means 70 is now located between pivot 18a and first pivot means 60. The increased circumference of the ski binding permits the foot to come completely free.

In order to bind the shoe again in the ski, toggle member 50 may be moved to complete unlocking position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, and the shoe inserted in position as shown in FIG. 1. Toggle member 50 may then be moved through its unstable position of FIG. 3, against the tension of spring 20, and hence to the locking position of FIG. 2, spring 80 again being active to move second pivot means 70 to its position A.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that my improved binding with safety release mechanism is simple to construct and extremely simple to operate. The screw shank 83 may be adjusted for the individual wearer to be certain that the binding will not release under normal conditions of use, but will release under emergency conditions as desired.

Embodiment of FIGS. 8-11 Numerals in the two embodiments which are the same refer to like parts, and these will not be described in detail in the description of this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of elements a and 116a, which replace elements 15a and 16a. Also, the two embodiments differ in the arrangement for spring loading the toggle relative to the second bar member.

As shown in detail in this embodiment, plate 13 is round and is fixed to the ski by screws 117. Plate 13 has a raised peripheral outstanding flange 118. Mechanism 12 includes an annular plate 119 which fits slidably turnably under flange 118 and extends outwardly thereof. Ear 15 is connected to one side of plate 119 and receives fitting 16.

Upstanding ear 115a is fixed to the opposite side of plate 119 and has a convex upper edge 1115b. Fitting 117a, which corresponds in function to fitting 17a, has a front plate extension 120. Bolt 121 extends through holes in plate and ear 115a with plate 120 outside ear 115a, and the assembly is held together by nut 122 on bolt 121. The shank of bolt 121 serves as a pivot upon which plate 120 is turnable.

Arcuate arm 123 connects the front and rear ends of plate 120 at the upper end thereof and has a convex upper edge 123a and concave lower edge 12312. Arm 123 has a screw-threaded radial bore 1230 between edges 123a and 1231) near the rear of arm 123, so that bore 1230 is forwardly downwardly inclined. Edge 1151) is approximately on an arc of a circle whose center is on pivot 121. Bore 1230 is on a secant of the circle located above pivot 121 (as taken in FIG. 9). Screw 124 is threaded into bore 1230 with the tip 124a of the screw located between edge 1239b and edge 11512. Nut 125 on screw 124 bears against edge 123a and permits locking of screw 124 in selected adjusted position.

FIG. 9 shows the rest position of shoe 14 with element 20 engaging the rear of shoe heel 14a. FIG. 10 shows the position of element 117a corresponding to raising of heel 14a, in which position screw tip 124a engages ear edge 115a. In normal conditions of use, the binding as sembly is movable about the axis of pivot 121 between its limit positions of FIGS. 9 and 10. In case of a spill the binding turns to its position of FIG. 10. The force of the foot movement is then suflicient to unlock the binding and permit release of the foot therefrom.

It will be understood that the stop means of this embodiment may also be incorporated in the first embodiment.

Second bar member 140 is in the form of a solid bar. One end of bar 140 is connected by vertical pivot pin 18a to connection member 11701 so as to be turnable about the axis of pivot 18a. The other end of portion 141 of bar 140 extends slidably between the horizontal plates of toggle 150 (plate 51 being shown in FIGS. 8 and 11). Said other bar end portion 141 is generally triangular, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, and includes an outer (with respect to the center of plate 13) cam edge 141a which is generally linear and which meets the outer (with respect to the center of plate 13) convex edge 140a of the main portion of bar 140 at an obtuse angle. Pivot pin 70 is located adjacent the junction of bar portion 14-1 and the main portion of bar 140. Pin 70 extends into corresponding slots in the opposed walls of toggle 150, as in the first embodiment, the slot 171 in plate or wall 51 being shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. Preferably, slot 171 is straight rather than arcuate as in the case of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the locking position of toggle 150, with second pivot means 70 in position A at the first end of slot 171. Spring 180 of toggle 150, which is slightly shorter than spring 80 but otherwise the same, bears against cam edge 141a under the selected tension.

FIG. 11 shows the beginning of the unlocking movement of toggle 150, with pivot 70 intermediate its positions A and B. The turning of toggle 150 has caused outward (with respect to the center of plate 13) shifting of the free end of spring 180, but it now engages a point of cam edge 141a located outwardly (with respect to the center of plate 13) with respect to the initial point of engagement. Accordingly, the tension of spring 180 against came edge 141a remains relatively uniform during travel of pivot 70 in slot 171, and there is very little change in the flexed position of the spring relative to its pivot point.

Extended description of the operation of this embodiment is unnecessary, since the two embodiments operate in essentially the same manner.

Embodiment of FIGS. ]216 .218 referred to below. The tensioned split looping member includes a pair of springs 210 and 211 which are connected by pins 208 and 209, respectively, to a pair of stirrup-shaped members 206 and 207 which respectively straddle a pair of rollers 203 and 202 supported for rotary movement on pins 205 and 204, respectively, which are carried by the stirrup members 206 and 207. These pins 204 and 205 have connected therebetween a safety release mechanism 201 which is substantially identical with the mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 811. This safety release mechanism 201 includes the toggle lever 250 which corresponds to the lever of FIGS. 8 and 11, and this toggle lever 250 of course is formed with the pair of aligned elongated slots which receive a pin corresponding to the pin 70 shown in FIG. 11 and fixedly carried by an element 240 which corresponds in all respects to the element 140 of FIG. 11 and which is pivotally connected at a bifurcated free end portion thereof to the pin 204 in the manner shown most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 13. The element 240 of course extends between the side walls of the toggle 250 and the toggle 250 itself is pivotally connected to an element 230 which corresponds in all respects to the element 30 of FIGS. 8 and 11 except that in the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, this element 230 is pivotally connected to the pin 205 and is constructed so as to accommodate the roller 203 between its side walls.

The elongated toggle lever 250 of the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 houses in its interior an elongated coil spring 280 which performs a function similar to that which is performed by the blade spring of FIGS. 8 and 11. The elongated coil spring 280 carries at a free end thereof a ball member 291 which is fixed to the spring 280 and which bears against the inclined surface of ele ment 240 in the same way that the free end of spring 180 bears against the element 140 of FIGS. 8 and 11. The free end of the toggle 250 is provided with a threaded bore in which an adjusting stud 283 is mounted, and a knurled knob 284 is accessible to the operator for turning the stud 283 so as to adjust the compression of the spring 280. In order to support and guide the spring 280 the toggle 250 is formed at a plurality of locations distributed along the length thereof withinwardly struck tongues 251, shown most clearly in FIG. 16, so that in this way the coil spring 280 is retained in the interior of the toggle member 250 but at the same time is free to shift longitudinally While transmitting its force to the element 24-0 in the same Way that the blade spring 180 acts on the element 140 in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 11. Thus, the safety release mechanism 201 operates in the same way as the safety release mechanism of FIGS. 8 and 11, the difference being that this safety release mechanism of FIGS. 12, 13 and 16 has an adjustable coil spring rather than an adjustable blade spring, and in addition the overlapping links of this safety release mechanism, namely the overlapping links 230 and 240 are connected with the rotary rollers 203 and 202, respectively, which are adapted to engage the heel in the manner shown most clearly in FIG. 12.

The springs 210 and 211 are respectively fixed to fittings 212a and 215, as indicated in FIG. 12. The fitting 212a is threaded onto a screw 213a which terminates in a hook end 214 which extends through a fixed side plate 218 which is fixed to the ski, and at its top end the side plate 218 is of a tubular configuration so as to receive the free ends of a substantially semicircular member 310 about which part of a ski-binding 301 is located, in the manner indicated in FIG. 12. This binding 301 forms part of an instep binding which includes in addition to the straps 301 which are adapted to be buckled together and to extend over the instep of the boot, a ring 302 which forms part of a second safety release mechanism of the invention in a manner described below.

As may also be seen from FIG. 12 the fitting 215 is threaded onto a screw 216 which also terminates in a hook-shaped end 221a passing freely through an opening of a side plate 217 which is fixed to the ski and forms part of the assembly 212, so that in this way element 216 forms a pivot member which is freely swingable with respect to the side plate 217, and this construction is shown more clearly in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the second safety release structure of the invention, which cooperates with the instep binding 301, includes a front retaining member 219 fixed to and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the stationary side plate 217, the lower front end of the retaining member 219 being welded or otherwise fixedly joined with the side plate 217 in the manner shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. As is apparent from FIG. 15 the member 219 has an upper rear free end where an inclined surface 222 is located for a purpose to be described below.

The safety release structure for the instep binding also includes a rear retaining member 220 which is fixed to and projects upwardly and forwardly from the pivot member 216, as indicated in FIGS. 14 and 15, and this member 220 terminates in a front free end where an inclined surface 221 is located, as shown most clearly in FIG. 15.

Before the safety release mechanism 201 is placed in its locking position shown in FIG. 12, the operator makes certain that the ring 302 of the instep binding is placed in a position encircling either the retaining member 212 or the retaining member 220. Then the safety release mechanism 201 is displaced to its locking position shown in FIG. 12, and now the tensioned spilt looping member will be raised so that the pivot member 216 is inclined upwardly and rearwardly, as indicated in FIG. 14, this attitude being given to the member 216 as a result of the fact that the rollers 202 and 263 engage the heel of the -boot at an elevation above the upper surface of the ski itself, so that in this way the pivot member 216 will during normal operation have an inclination substantially as indicated in FIG. 14. This inclination will place the free ends of the retaining members 219 and 22% in engagement with each other so that the ring 302 will remain securely connected with the remainder of the ski during normal use thereof, and thus after the mechanism 201 is placed in its locking position, the operator can buckle the straps of the instep binding 301.

If it should happen that due to a fall or the like the heel exerts on the mechanism 201 a force sufificient to displace it first through the unstable condition shown in FIG. 13 and then finally to the fully unlocking position,

the result will be that the tensioned split locking member will of course become longer and will no longer be tensioned against the heel so that it will simply drop onto the ski thus causing the pivot member 216 to drop from the position of FIG. 14 into the position of FIG. 15, with the result that the retaining members 219 and 229 form between themselves the gap which is shown in FIG. 15

.between their free ends, and this gap resulting from the rearward and downward displacement of the rear retaining member 220 with the pivot member 2116 upon release of the mechanism 201. The result is that when the mechanism 201 automatically releases the heel the safety mechanism shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 also automatically releases the instep binding by releasing the ring 382. It is to be noted that the inclined surfaces 221 and 222 define between themselves a recess of V-shaped configuration into which the bottom end of ring 302 will become located, as indicated in FIG. 14, so that an upward pull on the member 302 when it is in the position of FIG. 14, due to upward movement of the boot and thus to upper pressure on the binding 301 at the instep of the boot, will cause the element 302 to contribute by itself to the speedy displacement of element 220 rearwardly away from the element 219 so as to release the ring 302 and thus automatically release the instep binding.

During normal operation the ring 302 will encircle the rear retaining member 220. However, in the event of a spill or any other unexpected occurrence, the heel of the boot will be raised forcefully away from the ski by the operator with result that the mechanism 201 will automatically release the heel in the manner described above and furthermore, this raising of the heel portion of the boot will cause the instep binding to move upwardly and forwardly so that the ring 302 will indeed become situated as shown in FIG. 14 to automatically contribute its effect to the speedy displacement of the parts to the position shown in FIG. 15 automatically releasing the ring 302.

It is apparent, therefore, that with the embodiment of FIGS. 12-16 a pair of release mechanisms are provided, one for the heel and one for the instep, and the safety release for the instep responds automatically to release of the safety structure for the heel for releasing the instep substantially simultaneously with the release of the heel, so that a situation does not arise where the boot is released at its heel but is still maintained in connection with the ski as a result of the instep binding.

It is apparent that with all of the embodiments in the case of a fall the heel will move upwardly away from the ski so as to effect the displacement of the toggle mechanism to its unlocking position as described above. However, even when the toggle mechanism of all of the embodiments is in its unlocking position, the boot may still be connected to the ski by the instep binding 301, and thus the added release feature of FIGS. 14 and 15, which may be used with all of the embodiments of the invention, guarantees a complete release of the foot of the skier from the ski in the event of a fall or other accident. Since the strap 361 is long and wrapped around the ankle, and

only released on one side, the foot is freed of the ski; but the ski cannot run away.

While I have disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention, and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made in the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ski-binding of the type wherein a tensioned split looping member anchored to the ski encircles the heel of the skier, a safety release mechanism for connection to respective ends of said tensioned member, said mechanism comprising a pair of bar members respectively having outer ends connected respectively to said ends of said tensioned member, said bar members respectively having inner ends which overlap each other in a locked position of said mechanism, a toggle member, pivot means pivotally connecting said toggle member to one of said inner ends, pin-and-sl-ot means connecting said toggle member to the other of said inner ends, and spring means carried by said toggle member and in the locked position of said mechanism pressing slidingly against said other inner end and acting together with said pin-andslot means for retaining said mechanism in said locked position until the heel of the skier exerts on said mechanism a force great enough to displace the pin of said pinand-slot mechanism relative to the slot thereof in opposition to said spring means to a position releasing said toggle member for movement first to an unstable position and then to a completely unlocking position where said inner ends overlap each other to a substantially lesser extent than in said locking position of said mechanism, said slot and said toggle having axes at an angle to each other in said locked position, said other inner end shaped for sliding engagement of said spring means against said inner end over the full range of movement of said toggle member.

2. A mechanism as recited in claim 1 and wherein said spring means is an elongated blade spring.

3. A mechanism as recited in claim 1 and wherein said spring means is an elongated compression coil spring.

4. In a ski-binding of the type wherein a tensioned split looping member anchored to the ski encircles the heel of the skier, a safety release mechanism for connection to respective ends of said tensioned member, said mechanism comprising a pair of bar members respectively having outer ends respectively connected to said ends of said tensioned member and respectively having inner ends which overlap each other in a normal locked position of said mechanism, a toggle member, pivot means pivotally connecting said toggle member to one of said inner ends, pin-and-slot means connecting said toggle member to the other of said inner ends, spring means carried by said toggle member and slidably engaging said other inner end and cooperating with said pin-and-slot means for releasably retaining said toggle member in a normal locking position where said mechanism is locked until the heel of the skier exerts on said mechanism a force sufficient to displace a pin of said pin-and-slot means relative to the slot thereof, in opposition to said spring means a distance sufficient to displace said toggle member first to an unstable position and then to a completely unlocking position where said inner ends of said bar members overlap each other to an extent substantially less than in said locking position of said mechanism, and adjusting means operatively connected to said spring means for adjusting the force with which the latter presses against said other inner end so as to adjust the force required to displace said mechanism from said locked position thereof, said slot and said toggle having axes at an angle to each other in said locked position, said other inner end shaped for sliding engagement of said spring means against said inner end over the full range of movement of said toggle member.

5. A mechanism as recited in claim 4 and wherein said spring means is an elongated blade spring and said adjusting means is in the form of an elongated rod carried by a threaded stud which is threaded to said toggle member and forms part of said adjusting means so that turning of said stud on said toggle member will displace the end of said rod relative to said blade spring, said end of said rod engaging said blade spring so that adjustment of the point of engagement between the end of said rod and said blade will adjust the force of said spring.

6. A mechanism as recited in claim 4 and wherein said spring means is in the form of an elongated compression coil spring and said adjusting means is in the form of a threaded stud carried by said toggle member and having a free end engaging an end of said coil spring to adjust the extent to which the latter is compressed by turning of said stud relative to said toggle member.

7. In a ski-binding of the type wherein a tensioned split looping member anchored to the ski encircles the heel of the skier, a safety release mechanism for connection to respective ends of said tensioned member, said mechanism comprising a first bar member and a second bar member respectively pivotally connected at ends thereof to the ends of said tensioned member, a toggle member, first pivot means connecting the other end of said first bar member to one end of said toggle member, said toggle member having an elongated slot, second pivot means connecting the other end of said second bar member to said toggle member and turn able and slidably disposed within said slot, said slot extending from a point proximate to said first pivot means toward the free end of said toggle member, said toggle member having an axial bore extending from its free end past said slot, a blade spring disposed within said bore and extending generally axially, the end of said blade spring proximate to the free end of said toggle member being fixed to said toggle member and the other end of said blade spring being free, said free end of said blade spring bearing against the edge of said second bar member located outwardly of the loop formed by the looping member and normally tending to maintain said second pivot means against the end of said slot remote from said first pivot means, a rod disposed in said bore and extending out the free end thereof, means axially adjustably mounting said rod on said toggle member, the end of said rod remote from the free end of said toggle member bearing against said blade spring intermediate the ends thereof, the tension of said blade spring being variable by adjusting the axial position of said rod, the end of said slot proximate to said first pivot means being located with respect to the loop formed by the looping member radially outwardly of said second pivot means, said toggle member having a locking position in which it extends along said first bar member in the direction away from said first pivot means, said first pivot means being then located with respect to the loop formed by the looping member radially outwardly of the line of centers between said second pivot means and the pivotal connection between said tensioned member and said second bar member, said toggle member being movable against the action of said spring by excessive tension exerted on said tensioned member so as to move said second pivot means to the first-mentioned end of said slot, said first pivot means being thereby located with respect to the loop formed by the looping member radially inwardly of the line of centers between said second pivot means and the pivotal connection between said second bar member and said tensioned member, excessive tension on said tensioned member being thereby active to continue the pivoting movement of said toggle member on said first pivot means to complete unlocking position, said toggle member being returnable to locking position by manual manipulation thereof.

8. In a ski-binding of the type wherein a tensioned split looping member anchored to the ski encircles the heel of the skier, a safety release mechanism for connection to respective ends of said tensioned member, said mechanism comprising a first bar member and a second bar member respectively pivotally connected at ends thereof to the ends of said tensioned member, a toggle member, first pivot means connecting the other end of said first bar member to one end of said toggle member, said toggle member having an elongated slot, second pivot means connecting the other end of said second bar member to said toggle member and turnably and slidably disposed within said slot, said slot extending from a point proximate to said first pivot means toward the free end of said toggle member, said toggle member having an axial bore extending from its free end past said slot, a blade spring disposed within said bore and extending generally axially, the end of said blade spring proximate to the free end of said toggle member being fixed to said toggle member and the other end of said blade spring being free, said second bar member having an end cam portion extending beyond said second pivot means and having an outer cam edge, located outwardly of the loop formed by the looping member, said free end of said blade spring bearing against said cam edge and normally tending to maintain said second pivot means against the end of said slot remote from said first pivot means, the end of said slot proximate to said first pivot means being located with respect to the loop formed by the looping member radially outwardly of said first pivot means, said toggle member having a locking position in which it extends along said first bar member in the direction away from said first pivot means, said first pivot means being then located with respect to the loop formed by the looping member radially outwardly of the line of centers between said second pivot means and the pivotal connection between said tensioned member and said second bar member, said toggle member being movable against the action of said spring by excessive tension exerted on said tensioned member so as to move said second pivot means to the first-mentioned end of said slot, said first pivot means being thereby located with respect to the loop formed by the looping member radially inwardly of the line of centers between said second pivot means and the pivotal connection between said second bar member and said tensioned member, said free end of said spring riding upon said cam edge during movement of said second pivot means to said first-mentioned end of said slot, the shape of said cam edge relative to the path of movement of said spring being such as to ensure generally uniform tension of said spring against said cam edge during said movement of said second pivot means, excessive tension on said tensioned member being thereby active to continue the pivoting movement of said toggle member on said first pivot means to complete unlocking position, said toggle member being returnable to locking position by manual manipulation thereof.

9. Mechanism in accordance with claim 8, said mechanism also comprising a rod disposed in said bore, and extending out the free end thereof, means axially adjustably mounting said rod on said toggle member, the

T. 1 end of said rod remote from the free end of said toggle member bearing against said blade spring intermediate the ends thereof, the tension of said blade spring being variable by adjusting the axial position of said rod.

10. Mechanism in accordance with claim 8, said mechanism also comprising means for adjusting the tension of said blade spring against said cam edge.

11. In a ski-binding of the type wherein an instep binding is anchored to the ski and encircles the instep of the skier and a tensioned split looping member is anchored to the ski and encircles the heel of the skier, safety release structure comprising first safety release means operatively connected to said tensioned split looping member for releasing the heel therefrom when the heel exerts a force of a given magnitude on said tensioned split looping member and second safety release means responding automatically to release of the heel by said first safety release means and operatively connected to said instep binding for automatically releasing the latter from the ski when said first release means releases the heel, a side plate fixed to the ski, said tensioned split looping member terminating at one end in an elongated pivot member pivoted to said side plate for free turning movement relative thereto, and said second safety release means including a front retaining portion fixed to said side plate and a rear retaining portion fixed to said pivot member at said end of said tensioned split looping member, said retaining members having free ends engaging each others during normal use of the ski, and a ring connected to said instep binding and normally encircling said rear retaining member and being maintained assembled with the ski through engagement between said front and rear retaining members, said first safety release means when releasing the heel also releasing said pivot member to drop toward the ski so as to displace said rear retaining member away from said front retaining member to define between said retaining members a gap through which said ring is free to pass for automatically disconnecting said instep binding from the ski.

12. A structure as recited in claim 11 and wherein said retaining members are both arcuate with said front retaining member having a front end fixed to said side plate and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and said rear retaining member having a rear end fixed to said pivot member and extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom to meet said front retaining member during normal use of the ski.

13. A structure as recited in claim 12 and wherein said front and rear retaining members have at their free ends, respectively, a pair of inclined surfaces which are inclined oppositely with respect to each other and which engage each other to form a substantially V-shaped recess when said free ends of retaining members abut against each other so that said ring when situated in said recess will act as a wedge to contribute to the displacement of said rear retaining member away from said front retaining member.

14. In a ski-binding of the type wherein an instep binding encircles the instep of the skier and is anchored to the ski and a tensioned split looping member is anchored to the ski and encircles the heel of the skier, a safety release structure comprising a first safety release mechanism for releasing the heel from said tensioned split looping member and a second safety release mechanism for releasing said instep binding from the ski, said first mechanism comprising a pair of bar members respectively having outer ends respectively connected to ends of said tensioned split looping member, said pair of bar members respectively having inner ends which overlap each other to a substantial extent when said first mechanism is in a normal locking position, a toggle member, pivot means pivotally connecting said toggle member to one of said inner ends, pin-and-slot means connecting said toggle member to the other of said inner ends, and spring means carried by said toggle member and pressing against said other inner end, said spring means and pin-and-slot means cooperating to maintain said first mechanism in a normal locking position until the heel exerts on said first mechanism a force suflicient to displace a pin of said pin-and-slot means along the slot thereof to a location placing said toggle member, in opposition to said spring means, first in an unstable position and then in a completely unlocking position Where said inner ends overlap each other to an extent substantially less than when said first mechanism is in said locking position, said second mechanism comprising a plate connected to a side of the ski, a front retaining member fixed to and extending upwardly and rearwardly from said plate, said tensioned split looping member including a pivot member freely pivoted to said plate and said second mechanism comprising a rear retaining member fixed to said pivot member and having a forwardly extending portion terminating in a free end which normally engages a free end of said front retaining member, and a ring connected to the instep binding and normally encircling said rear retaining member to be held thereby on the ski, said first safety release mechanism when in said unlocking position thereof dropping said pivot member to displace said rear retaining member rearwardly away from said front retaining member so that said retaining members then define a gap between their free ends through which the ring is free to move away from the ski and thus release the instep binding.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,686,059 8/54 Whitaker 280-1135 3,100,119 8/63 Marker 280-11.35

FOREIGN PATENTS 144,398 1/36 Austria. 1,176,999 12/58 France. 1,190,118 3/59 France.

173,443 3/35 Switzerland.

278,973 2/52 Switzerland.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

PHILIP ARNOLD, Examiner. 

1. IN A SKI-BINDING OF THE TYPE WHEREIN A TENSIONED SPLIT LOOPING MEMBER ANCHORED TO THE SKI ENCIRCLES THE HEEL OF THE SKIER, A SAFETY RELEASE MECHANISM FOR CONNECTION TO RESPECTIVE ENDS OF SAID TENSIONED MEMBER, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A PAIR OF BAR MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY HAVING OUTER ENDS CONNECTED RESPECTIVELY TO SAID ENDS OF SAID TENSIONED MEMBER, SAID BAR MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY HAVING INNER ENDS WHICH OVERLAP EACH OTHER IN A LOCKED POSITION OF SAID MECHANISM, A TOGGLE MEMBER, PIVOT MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID TOGGLE MEMBER TO ONE OF SAID INNER ENDS, PIN-AND-SLOT MEANS CONNECTING SAID TOGGLE MEMBER TO THE OTHER OF SAID INNER ENDS, AND SPRING MEAND CARRIED BY SAID TOGGLE MEMBER AND IN THE LOCKED POSITION OF SAID MECHAMISM PRESSING SLIDINGLY AGAINST SAID OTHER INNER END AND ACTING TOGETHER WITH SAID PIN-ANDSLOT MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID MECHANISM IN SAID LOCKED POSITION UNTIL THE HEEL OF THE SKIER EXERTS ON SAID MECHANSIM A FORCE GREAT ENOUGH TO DISPLACE TH EPIN OF SAID PINAND-SLOT MECHANISM RELATIVE TO THE SLOT THEREOF OPPOSITION TO SAID SPRING MEANS TO A POSITION RELEASING SAID TOGGLE MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT FIRST TO AN UNSTBLE POSITION AND THEN TO A COMPLETELY UNLOCKING POSITION WHERE SAID INNER ENDS OVERLAP EACH OTHER TO A SUBSTANTIALLY LESSER EXTENT THAN INSAID LOCKING POSITION OF SAID MECHANISM, SAID SLOT AND SAID TOGGLE HAVING AT AN ANGLE TO EACH OTHER IN SAID LOCKED POSITION, SAID OTHER INNER END SHAPED FOR SLIDING ENGAGEMENT OF SAID SPRING MEANS AGAINST SAID INNER END OVER THE FULL RANGE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TOGGLE MEMBER. 